Associated Press - August 27, 2009 8:55 AM ET

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico has been awarded $2.6 million in federal stimulus money for transit improvements.

The funding was announced Wednesday by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The state Transportation Department will use about $600,000 to buy three buses, a van, property for use as a transit facility in Hobbs. About $2 million will be used for renovations and to purchase property for a transit facility in Espanola for the north-central regional transit district.

Nationwide, the federal Transportation Department has made more than $48 billion available for highway, road, transit, bridge and airport construction and repairs.

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